There's a lot of drinking history in Cincy

Football season is here and you know what that means, don’t you? If we weren’t so freakin’ beer happy all year round, we would call it beer season, because there really is no better way to cheer your team than with a pint or mug of your favorite local craft brew. All season we will be taking a look at the beer scenes in cities representing all 32 NFL teams — from local brewers to beer-centric bars to the finest beer shops. And if you’re not into sports but enjoy a quality imperial oatmeal stout (it’s OK, we’re not judging), then read on anyway to see how cities across the country are taking their suds more seriously than ever. Up next, the Cincinnati Bengals.

WHAT TO DRINK
Mt. Carmel Brewing Nut Brown Ale: This light-bodied ale pours a deep chestnut color, giving off toasty aromas of hazelnut and a hint of maple sweetness in the mouth, with a dry and clean finish. mtcarmelbrewingcompany.com

Listermann Brewing Enter the Beagle IPA: For a home brew supply shop, this place brews a pretty mean beer. The IPA gives off typical notes of grass and grapefruit, rounded out with a malty, fruity sweetness. listermann.com

Rivertown Brewery Lambic: This one is hard to get your hands on. A limited release spontaneously fermented unblended lambic aged in port barrels, it’s tart and sour, with a pleasant citrus character. rivertownbrewery.com

WHERE TO DRINK
Dutch’s Bar & Bottle Shop: This bar-slash-bottle shop hybrid has eight taps and some 650-plus bottles all lined up on the wall. But that’s not all that’s on the wall. You could also call it a bar-slash-art gallery what with all the cool wall hangings. 3366 Erie Avenue, 513-871-1446, facebook.com/DutchsLarder

Moerlein Lager House: As one of the most hyped openings of 2012, this brewpub set in an architecturally stunning structure produces some of the only beers to pass the stringent 16th century Reinheitsgebot Bavarian Purity Law. 115 Joe Nuxhall Way, 513-421-2337, moerleinlagerhouse.com

Mecklenburg Gardens: A testament to the city’s rich German history, this quintessential bier garten has been a restaurant since 1865 in one incarnation or another. It has 16 well curated taps, six of which rotate seasonally.302 East University Avenue, 513-221-5353, mecklenburgs.net

WHERE TO BUY IT
Party Town: Just across the state border in northern Kentucky and no more than a 10-minute drive from downtown Cincinnati, this massive liquor store has a huge beer selection, including 18 taps for filling up growlers. 6823 Burlington Pike, Florence, KY, 859-371-4466, partytownky.com